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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help the home side close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently advising me, and correctly so since three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.